A new study from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester has found that exposure to high levels of particulate matter for just an hour can affect cognitive functions.
Participants in the research took part in four cognitive tests before spending an hour exposed to air quality that had been degraded by candle smoke. Four hours after that, they undertook the tests again. By way of a control, the process was repeated but with the participants exposed to clean air rather than candle smoke.
The candle method was chosen as it has been shown to be an effective way of increasing PM2.5 to a level that might be experienced in an urban area.
The cognitive tests measured working memory, selective attention, emotion recognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention.
The results of the post-exposure tests indicated that both selective attention and emotion recognition were negatively affected by air pollution.
The consequences of such exposure could lead a person to be easily distracted and impair their ability to focus on tasks.
Exposure to air pollution has been linked to inflammation and the researchers believe that this is responsible for decline in those cognitive functions.
Co-author Professor Francis Pope, from the University of Birmingham, said: ‘Poor air quality undermines intellectual development and worker productivity, with significant societal and economic implications in a high-tech world reliant on cognitive excellence.
‘Reduced productivity impacts economic growth, further highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health, particularly in highly polluted urban areas.’
Co-author Dr Thomas Faherty, from the University of Birmingham, said: ‘Our study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop.’
Co-author Professor Gordon McFiggans, from the University of Manchester, said: ‘This study shows the importance of understanding the impacts of air pollution on cognitive function and the need to study the influences of different sources of pollution on brain health in vulnerable older members of society.’
The full research can be read here.